Knit Night was great fun last night – Mary popped in “on her way home from work” and stayed as long as everyone else! Aileen got to see her pattern available for download for the first time. Diane brought in a pattern for the most gorgeous summer cami and left with five balls of Cathay to make it a reality. And Charlene the wonder-beginner continued to impress to the point where we can’t really use the word “beginner” to describe her any more!

We have had a lot of enquiries about our classes of late and I promise the schedule is on it’s way! Check back in here early(-ish) next week and I should have it for you. The teachers now have it and once they confirm all is ok then I’ll go ahead and put in on the website.

One thing I can confirm straight away is that the first Wednesday of every month will be beginners’ night. Pop on in to us at 6.45pm and we’ll get you kitted out with materials and started on your first project. The class will be for approx an hour and 15 mins and
costs just €5 if you purchase your materials at TIK and €10 otherwise.

There will be lots more Weekly Wednesday Workshops announced soon, together with the Saturday classes, so stay tuned….

Check out the new “Patterns for Sale” section of the website where, if you are looking for the summer knitting project, you can instantly download Aileen Cahill’s Rosy Lace Shrug. Using just two to three balls of Kidsilk Night or Kidsilk Haze and a easy beginner lace stitch you can have this stylish warm-weather cover up knit in no time!

We will be adding more patterns to this section soon, including Sam H’s “Cat on a Brick Wall” baby sweater and Aileen’s Cashsilk cap-sleeve top.

And then, of course, we have HIPKNITS – Aran Silk and Sock Weight Cashmere. All we can say is ooooohhhh Jacqui has already succumbed to the delicious temptation of the cashmere and I have my beady eye on the Chocolate Cherries colourway in the silk. We are expecting lace-weight silk by early next week and are already dreaming of floaty summer shawls and wraps…

We’re definitely still playing catch up since the move but we have made some headway with the backlog… As you can see if you pop over to the online shop, a lot of products have been added recently, including our brand new shipment of Peace Fleece needles, Louisa Harding Glisten yarn, more colours of Cashmerino in Aran, Dk and Chunky and the exceptionally popular Rialto yarn (such shine for a 100% merino!). More to come online this week, including Knitting Pure and Simple patterns, new shades of Cathay, Cotton DK, Kidsilk Night (very relevant, keep reading…), lots of new pattern books and, although I feel I have to whisper it just in case, Hipknits yarn!

So, speaking of the backlog, we have moved the Toe Up Sock Knitting class back one week so part one will happen this Saturday, there are spaces available so if you would like to join us just drop me a quick email and I’ll get you signed up. We will be using a “Magic” Cast On and working a short row heel and also providing a few cast off alternatives for plain to decorative cuffs. Toe up socks seem to work up quicker and I love the neat finish of a short row heel so, even if you have mastered the traditional construction, I think there’s lots to get out of this technique also

Later this week keep an eye out for Aileen’s Rosy Lace Shrug pattern, which will be live for download very soon. This beautiful pattern uses 2 -3 balls of Kidsilk Night, but would also look stunning in the traditional Kidsilk Haze. We will also be selling a paper version in the bricks and mortar shop and if you’re there you can have a feel of the shrug itself too! Sam H has also kindly loaned us her designing services for some children’s knits and her first pattern should be available shortly after Aileen’s. Watch this space.

Lastly, I came across this nifty ticket-generator on Amy Singer’s (of Knitty fame) blog and couldn’t help but play around with it. What do you think?

Well, quite a few of you have been asking and I can now reveal that Debbie Bliss will be, metaphorically, “cutting the ribbon” at TIK’s new premises on Thursday the 10th of May

We are very much looking forward to welcoming her and I am sure that there are lots of you who would love to come along for a chat with the woman herself. Debbie enjoys meeting fellow knitters, getting feedback on her patterns and ideas for new ones! So don’t miss this opportunity to bend the ear of one of the most famous knitwear designers today. She is more than happy to sign copies of her books and there will be plenty of special offers on the day for products in the Debbie Bliss range. Official times are yet to be confirmed but we expect the event will run from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

So we’re now well settled in to our new luxurious surroundings and looking forward to our first Knit Night. This will be a casual drop in knitting group from 7pm onwards every Thursday night (but come along whenever you can make it). We’ll pull out the folding chairs and the bean cubes, get the kettle on and the biccies ready. All you have to do is bring yourself and your knitting (or crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, beading – we’re not exclusive!)

Bloggers Tangelled Angel and Tea and Cakes called out to the shop today. They are both co-ordinating the Knitter’s Treat Exchange, which is no mean feat as they have well over 100 sign ups from all over the globe! I ended up adding to their workload today by being a very belated participant. This is my questionnaire:

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

1. What’s your favourite type of yarn?

Any silk/wool blend.I love the combination of the shine of silk with the squishy comfort of wool.

2. What’s your least favourite type of yarn?

Sorry, this is just one word.Acrylic.

3. What’s the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?

Squeal.Then spend about 10-15 minutes doing a general “sweep” of their stock, half an hour browsing pattern books and probably another good half an hour to 45 minutes deciding what to buy!

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?

I dabble in beading and jewellery making and I have serious intentions to improve my crochet skills this year.

Knitting (obviously).A long walk on the beach during the day or a swim in the evening.
11. You’re stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?

Italian café, definitely.Hmm.
12. What do you come out with?

A caffeine buzz from the double espresso!In the summer I drink it over ice – something I picked up from a trip to Barcelona and I can highly recommend.If the coffee is very good and they sell the ground beans than I’ll more than likely come out with that too!

13. Where do you go next?

The bakery to get a treat to bring home to have with the coffee I’ve just bought…

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?

I love quirky things and I’m very easy to please.So thanks for signing up and for taking the time to brighten up someone’s day (in this case, mine!).

The new shop has had a great reaction so far. We kicked off with Intro to Sock Knitting Part II, which took place in our on site “classroom” (which was just a bit untidy, but the girls forgave us…). We had lots of visits from friends, regulars and new customers and we generally had a ball. Jacqui and I are really pleased and we’ll continue to plot and plan to fill the shop with the best yarns and to run some great events. Keep an eye out for news of the “Grand Opening” on the 10th of May – it’s going to be a great one!

Thanks so much to everyone for the shop warming gifts and to all for the good wishes and supportive comments on the blog! We have to share this inpsired contribution from Antje – not only are these the best fairy cakes we’ve ever tasted but they spell out “Yay Yarn!” too. This girl is just the salt (and sugar) of the earth!

And in a continuation of the “we are ridiculously spoiled by the people around us” theme, the wonder-counter-construction duo showed up last thing on Saturday with these goodies:

It has been all about recovery today but I can guarantee you we will be back up to full strength for our first weekday opening this Wednesday. See you then!